RC Antje Grawe's Speech at the VNR Seminar on 9 Sep, 2025

It is a great pleasure and honor to welcome you to this National Workshop and to speak on behalf of the United Nations system in Kyrgyzstan. The objective of today’s meeting, as outlined by the Minister earlier, is an in-depth, practical discussion to help refine the 2030 National Development Program Action Plan. Allow me, therefore, to echo the Minister’s words and invite all of us to bring our expertise to the table today, contributing to the finalization of this Action Plan, which the Government will submit to the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers in the coming days.

For the United Nations, it is a particular honor to support the Government in reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Second Voluntary National Review. For those less familiar with the VNR process: the Review was presented just two months ago at the High-Level Political

Forum in New York by Minister Sydykov and his delegation, which included representatives of civil society, a Member of Parliament and others. The Review provided a candid stock-take of the SDGs in the Kyrgyz Republic. It highlighted both achievements and challenges and offered very practical policy recommendations across the 16 SDGs reviewed.

The idea was that, as the 2030 National Development Program was being developed, the findings of the VNR could be reviewed alongside other key research — including UNDP’s flagship Human Development Report, and studies from international financial institutions such as the ADB and World Bank. In this regard, I am particularly pleased that the ADB has partnered with us in co-organizing this workshop.

By nature, the VNR places strong emphasis on social indicators. This is where it adds value: bringing evidence into today’s discussions and into the practical work at the Retreat over the coming two days, when government institutions from across ministries will reflect on these findings as they finalize the 2030 National Development Program Action Plan.

For the United Nations, it will be commendable to see how the principle of Leaving No One Behind is translated into action. Poverty reduction should remain at the center, supported by comprehensive social protection policies and investments in human capital. Equally, it is essential to address inequalities — between women and men, across regions, and

between income groups. Climate change compounds these risks, and ambitions for resilience should be fully reflected in the National Development Program 2030. Melting glaciers and pressures on water resources are already threatening long-term development prospects.

The Government’s commitment to tackling these challenges is clear — through the VNR process and through the adoption of the 2030 National Development Program. The decision to make the National Development Program 2030 the central theme of the Independence Day celebrations in Jalalabad was more than symbolic; it underlined this commitment at the highest political level.

The Action Plan for the National Development Program 2030 now under preparation will translate this commitment into practice. Here, the findings of the VNR and other studies can shape policy, financing and programming on the basis of solid evidence. This includes reducing poverty, strengthening governance, advancing gender equality and supporting young people.

Dear participants, as we move forward, I would like to highlight two points.

First, equity. Development progress is not judged by growth alone, but by whether it improves lives across all groups and regions. Leaving no one behind is the measure of success, and investments in social protection and human capital are key.

Second, partnerships. Achieving the ambition of the National Development Program 2030 requires the collective effort of Government, Parliament, civil society, academia, the private sector and international partners. Success will depend on how well we align behind national development priorities and work together.

Dear colleagues,

let’s use today’s workshop to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s Action Plan for the National Development Program 2030 and to ensure it drives inclusive, sustainable progress in a conducive environment. The United Nations system will continue to support this effort — with policy advice, technical expertise, financing and by translating global commitments into national action.

Thank you, and I wish us a very constructive and actionable workshop.